title: Extrapleural suction buttress of primary esophageal repair.
abstract: Buttress reinforcement of a primary esophageal repair after perforation may diminish the potential for breakdown or leakage of the approximation. We describe a method of reinforcing a primary esophageal repair by using pleural tissue that is secured in place with an extrapleural, soft T-tube attached to a suction device. This technique is simple to apply and may maximize recovery of respiratory function by permitting timely removal of chest tubes.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Texas Heart Institute, Houston 77030, USA.
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Takach
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gregoric
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Campbell
mesh_terms: D015505:Chest Tubes; D004939:Esophageal Perforation / Q000601:surgery*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007440:Intubation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010994:Pleura / Q000601:surgery; D013396:Suction / Q000379:methods*; D013536:Suture Techniques